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Money is tight this year at Manatee High School in Florida, so much so that seniors have to pay $20 for the privilege of taking part in their own graduation ceremony next month. And parents who want a good view have to open their wallets, too, reports the Bradenton Herald. In advance of the May 31 graduation, the school has sold prime seating at the school stadium for $200 a row. Each row seats about 15, meaning about $13 a person. The school, looking to defray costs of the ceremony, sold out its 10 best rows in four hours.

Across the country, meanwhile, another high school is having money problems of another magnitude. Allen High School in Texas says it will not be able to use its $60 million football stadium because of safety issues, reports the Dallas Morning News. Yes, that's $60 million. The stadium opened in 2012 after voters in the rich Dallas suburb approved its funding, notes USA Today, but cracks soon started showing up in the concrete. Builders are working on a fix, but the school's powerhouse football team has to play home games in Plano in the meantime.

This offends the egalitarian in me. So much for the equality of a public education. I know it has always been a myth, but at least it was something to strive for. Now, if you are poor, you may not be able to see you child graduate. Good behavior should earn privilege, not just money. The best seats should go to those willing to get there early or be awarded to the families of students that performed well...high grades. most improved etc....but given to the highest bidder is just another way to glorify the power of money above all else.

fred lapides

May 20, 2014 9:25 PM CDT

I think this is a great idea! The grads will come to know how money trtumps all things...A quick early lesson in Have and Have Much Less